Brightspark Blog

10 Inspiring Cities for Student Tours

You have a world of options when it comes to choosing a city for your student tour. To help you choose, we’re sharing some of our favorite destinations to visit in the new year. Keep reading to see our top 10 list, including performance and education tours to U.S. and global cities!

1) Washington, D.C.

With monuments and museums spanning politics, history, science, and more, our nation’s capital is a living classroom for any student. From history teachers planning the school's annual D.C. trip, or science teachers interested in the National Air and Space Museum, our Washington D.C. educational tours fit the needs and interests of every classroom. This 3-day tour takes advantage of the city’s many affordable attractions, from iconic national landmarks and memorials to historic neighborhoods.

2) New York City

"The Capital of the World” lives up to the hype by serving as a meeting place for people and cultures from every corner of the globe. Our New York City educational tour of Manhattan will take students to leading media centers and universities, world-renowned museums, and sites and attractions they may recognize from the movies.And our performance tours include visits to venerable venues, a Broadway show, and clinics with professional artists. One of the world’s most intense cultural conglomerates, New York City has something to offer every student group.

3) Chicago

Urban sophistication mixes with Midwestern charm and global cultures in this diverse, world-class city. With a little of something for everyone, students of every subject will be delighted by visits to the Field Museum of Natural History, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Shedd Aquarium, and an architectural boat tour. As the cultural center of the Midwest since the mid-19th century, noeducationalor performance trip to Chicago is complete without taking in a show at a famed venue or stopping by the city’s unique neighborhoods, attractions, and parks.

4) London

With a history spanning over 2,000 years, London was one of the first major cities, and it has grown into a significant cultural capital. From the London Wall to Westminster Abbey, the London Tower to Buckingham Palace, our London educational tours introduce young travelers to Shakespeare's historic Globe theater, medieval architecture, and world-famous art and literature, including a stop at the Dickens House Museum. Customize your trip with a trip to the ancient Roman Baths and the mysterious Stonehenge, or consider adding stops in Scotland, France, or Italy.

5) Nashville

Step into the home of country music, where students will be surrounded by exuberant performances and rich cultural history. During ourNashville performance tour, music lovers and history buffs will visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, take in a show at the Grand Ole Opry, record at Jack White’s Third Man Studio, and soak up Southern charm with a visit to the Hermitage, Andrew Jackson's antebellum plantation.

6) Boston

Established by Puritans as a “shining city on a hill,” Bostonhas been a cultural hub since the American Revolution. With museums, sports, seafood, colonial history, literary influences and more, our Boston student tours feature customized academic, cultural, and historical excursions. Interested in American History? Consider pairing Boston and New York trips in our Foundations of the United States tour.

7) Sacramento

The history, politics and culture of the Golden State come alive with our Sacramento educational tours. As the epicenter of the California Gold Rush, Sacramento invites students to learn from its 19th-century mining towns and influential state parks. Moving forward to modern times, Sacramento is known as America’s farm-to-fork capital while serving as California’s political capital, offering students insights into the state’s government.

8) Barcelona

Spanish sun, colorful architecture, and plenty of tapas will introduce your students to two major European cultural centers. Your Madrid and Barcelona experience begins with a walk through medieval mansions, baroque spires, and contemporary architecture on the streets of Madrid. Students can see the classics at Museo del Prado, learn to dance Flamenco, and take quick jaunts to Segovia and Toledo. In Barcelona, Gothic architecture mixes effortlessly with the surreal designs of Gaudi. Your tour will take you to the Sagrada Familia Cathedral, a paella cooking class, and a trip to the beach.

9) Los Angeles

Famous for its coastline and sunshine,southern Californiais as culturally fascinating as it is naturally beautiful. Get to know Los Angeles with behind-the-scenes tours of Hollywood hotspots, a visit to Disneyland, and a trip to the beach! The tour continues south to San Diego, where Balboa Park hosts over a dozen museums and attractions, from the San Diego Air and Space Museum to the famous San Diego Zoo.

10) New Orleans

The Crescent City has a diverse history and a colorful culture. Our educational tours of New Orleans showcase the city's French Creole architecture, Spanish-infused cuisine and the sweet sounds of jazz music. Groups can visit the historic French Quarter for an in depth look at the city’s oldest neighborhood, or learn about voodoo rituals (and zombies!) at the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum. Our New Orleans performance tours let young musicians participate in clinics, watch live performances, and get a better grasp on the birthplace of jazz. Complete your tour with excursions to nearby swamps and plantations.